To Know Her by Name (54 page)

“I've wondered that myself. Did you think I was going to move here, McKay?”

“It's crossed my mind. What do you think?”

“I'm not sure right now. The chance to see you every day would be wonderful, but I'm just not sure if I'm supposed to do that.” She gave a small laugh that ended in something that sounded much like a sob. “I can't believe I just said that. You've given me an open invitation to join you here, see you, and be with you all week long, and I tell you I have to think about it.”

“It's all right,” he said gently. “I know you want to be with me as much as I want to be with you, but the details just haven't been worked out yet.”

“It's my fault.”

“Why is that?”

“I haven't been praying about it. With everything else, it hasn't even been on my mind. How can God bring us together if we don't ask?”

McKay laughed. “So you think God can't work unless we tell Him what to do?”

Pup opened her mouth to argue but realized that was exactly what she'd said. She laughed as well.

“I think I'm a little too used to having my way,” she admitted.

“Be that as it may, as long as you pray wanting God's will over your own you can ask for anything, even thanking Him ahead of time whether His answer is yes or no.”

Her chest lifted on a huge sigh. “I think you're wonderful.”

McKay pressed his lips to her brow. “I love you, Callie Jennings.”

“I love you, McKay.” She smiled suddenly. “Jubal called me Pup today. After all these years, he still thinks of me as Pup.”

“That name must hold warm memories for him, and right now you're the best thing that's ever happened to him. If he's half as smart as his sister, he'll have figured that out already.”

“Thank you, McKay. I wish I could see you tomorrow.”

“Maybe I can check with you in the afternoon about your plans to go home.”

She was silent for a moment and then admitted, “I hope things go well with Nick, but even if they don't I'm catching an early train home Saturday morning.”

“All right.” He accepted her decision with equanimity. “What time should I come by to get you to the station?”

Pup could have hugged him. Instead she gave him the time and thanked him with a kiss to the cheek. After that it was time to head back. They walked the blocks to the Wallaces' home, and McKay saw her to the door. He kissed her gently goodbye and told her he'd see her no later than Saturday morning.

Pup made her way inside. It wasn't too late, but she still tried to be as quiet as possible—completely unaware that Nick was still in his study waiting for her return and that Camille wouldn't be sleeping because Nick wasn't in bed. The head of the regional treasury department waited just a few minutes for her to go upstairs. Finally able to seek his rest, he followed her.

McKay knew he had to work in the morning, but he did not let himself sleep. It helped him to remember what an awesome, loving, creator-God he had when he knelt to pray. This was the reason he was on his knees this night.

You know my heart better than I do, Lord. You know how I feel about that woman. I can't think right now how we're going to get together, but I'm going to trust You. It will be so hard to see her go, but You will bring us together again in Your time. Of this I'm sure.

McKay stopped before he could give in to the temptation of telling God how he wanted things handled. Reminding himself just how good God was to bring Pup into his life in the first place, he climbed into bed and fell asleep almost instantly.

44

Carlyle called McKay into his office first thing Friday morning. The younger man took a seat across the desk from his first in command, having shut the door as he was asked.

“I've just finished with your reports. Thank you for the detail.”

“You're welcome. It was clear?”

“Yes.” Carlyle smiled. “You didn't elaborate, but I assume you scared Pup Jennings nearly out of her wits when you grabbed her.”

McKay smiled in return. “I'm afraid so. I saw no other way to handle it.”

Carlyle studied him for a moment. It was going to be hard for him to say what he was about to, but Nick Wallace had taken a true aversion to this young agent, and with that in mind Carlyle knew it was best for all concerned. However, he knew how much he would miss him.

“Are you still interested in a posting closer to Longmont?”

“Yes, sir, I am. I guess I'll always be a small-town boy.”

“Well, something has come up—two posts actually. One in Evans, which wouldn't put you closer to Longmont but would get you out of the big city.”

McKay nodded. “And the other?”

“Boulder.”

McKay let his head fall back for just a moment, his eyes on the ceiling.
Boulder. DidYou hear that, Lord? He said Boulder. Thank You, heavenly Father. Thank You, Lord of all.
McKay looked back to see Carlyle watching him.

“I take it you're interested.”

“Yes, Carlyle, I am. In Boulder, specifically.” Carlyle was about to go on, but McKay had more to say. “It sounds like just what I've dreamed of, but may I give you my decision Tuesday?”

“Yes. I'm in charge of this posting, and you have first choice. I won't make a move until I hear from you.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it. I did tell you that I'm taking Monday off ?”

“Yes, and then two weeks at the end of the month or possibly the first two weeks of September.”

“Yes.”

“Well, that's all for now,” Carlyle told him by way of dismissal. “Plan to see me when you get in Tuesday. I'll expect your answer then.”

“Yes, sir.”

McKay exited, knowing that if there had been any way to see Pup right then, he'd have done it. He wanted to skip from the room. He wanted to stand on the roof and shout to everyone that God's provision went beyond anything he could ask or think. He had completely forgotten that he'd told Carlyle he would eventually like to get out of the big city. He loved Denver—it was a great place to live—but the small-town warmth of Longmont and many other small towns he'd visited in the state was never far from his mind.

Back in his office, he forced himself to focus on the letters he was writing, which confirmed a few more facts for the case. His inter-office speaker sounded. It was Sam Binks, Nick's new assistant, calling to say Nick wanted to see him. Without even hearing Nick's voice, McKay knew something was up.

Not having seen Nick the night before, McKay nevertheless had a premonition that this man, whose relationship with Pup was so intense, was ready to have it out with him. He walked to the head-man's office, his heart asking only one thing of God: that he would maintain his testimony before Nick Wallace.

“Sit down,” Nick instructed as soon as he let McKay into the office. He had indicated the comfortable area of the office, the section with the small carpet, sofa and chairs, but McKay was not fooled. This was not going to be a warm, good-to-see-you conversation. Nick's face told him he had things on his mind.

“First of all,” Nick started as soon as they'd both sat down. “I want to thank you for all your work on this case; it's been invaluable. Much as I appreciate your efforts, I still want you to stay away from Pup.”

McKay was relieved that he'd been expecting the worst. His face was more impassive than he felt when he respectfully asked, “Why is that, sir?”

“Because she's young,” Nick said firmly. “Not in age but in experience. She's never had a man interested in her before, and quite frankly it's turned her head.”

McKay didn't believe that no one had ever shown interest in Pup, but for a moment he didn't reply. There was so much he could say, but not all of it was wise. He tried again, keeping his voice even.

“Have I done something that makes you think my intentions toward Pup are not honorable?”

“Of course you have!” Nick was becoming agitated. “She's leaving the treasury, and for what? To go off with a man who may or may not be interested in marrying her.”

These were serious accusations in McKay's mind, but again he forced himself to remain calm. The type of man Nick had just described was a reprehensible creature. If McKay had chosen to, he could have been quite offended. He knew he wasn't that kind of man; if only he could convince Nick Wallace of that fact.

“Have I made myself clear, McKay?”

“I believe so, sir. Do you care to hear anything I have to say?”

Nick nodded immediately. Nothing would change his mind, of this he was certain, but it was only fair to let the man talk.

“With all due respect, sir, I think you're selling me short. I know that you've called me in here today out of concern for a woman who is very dear to you, but have you considered Pup's happiness? She has the same right to have a husband as any other woman.”

“Husband?”

“That's right, sir. I'm sorry you've had the impression that I'm just playing games with her. The truth of the matter is, I'm in love with her.”

“Have you asked her to marry you?”

“No, sir, I haven't, but—” McKay tried to explain, but Nick wouldn't let him.

“You can't have her,” he said bluntly, and McKay knew it was time to put things on the line. Nick glowered at him, but McKay looked steadily back, determined to have his say.

“I have no wish to antagonize you, sir. I realize you can fire me in an instant, but I'm still going to tell you that you don't own Callie Jennings.” Nick's expression grew black, but McKay kept his cool. “Her days with the treasury department are numbered, if not already over.”

“The only thing that's over is this discussion,” Nick said, coming suddenly to his feet. “I don't think I need to see you to the door, Harrington.”

McKay stood as well. “No, sir, I can find my way. But I hope you'll do just one thing—I hope you'll listen to her. I hope you'll give her that much. If you do, I know you'll find that Pup's decision to leave her job has nothing whatsoever to do with me.”

Nick was so still he could have been made of stone. McKay didn't say another word but turned to the door. Nick didn't believe for a moment that McKay wasn't the reason … but if he didn't buy that argument, why couldn't he get the words from his mind? Nick eventually went back to his desk, but more than an hour passed before he got any work done.

Out in the hallway, McKay walked slowly back to his own office and shut the door. He didn't think he'd lost his job, but it was probably pretty close. He didn't return to Carlyle's office but he could have. Whether or not he and Pup had a future together, he would need to take the position in Boulder for the future security of his job.

The kitchen at the Wallace household was a busy place. Pup had taken it into her head to bake for McKay. Miranda was dubious but let her at it. However, when she watched the second eggshell go into the bowl, she had to step in.